Sheriff's Office Overview

The Virginia Sheriff is a Constitutional Officer, as defined in Article VII, Section 4, of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Sheriff is elected every four years by the citizens and is the "executive officer of the court" and the "keeper of the jail". The Sheriff and appointed Deputy Sheriffs have both criminal and civil jurisdiction.
Page updated on July 28, 2022 at 12:55 PM

Alexandria Sheriff's Office Overview

Sheriff's star with motto

The Alexandria Sheriff's Office is a highly professional organization with 205 deputy sheriffs and civilian personnel. The Office is nationally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Commission on Accreditation for Corrections, and the National Commission on Correctional Health Care. The Office has been honored by the National Sheriff's Association with the prestigious "Triple Crown Award" for achieving these national accreditations. The Office is Virginia state certified by the Department of Criminal Justice Services and the Department of Corrections; and most recently by the Community Accreditation for Rehabilitation Facilities.

Alexandria Sheriff's Office
2003 Mill Road, Alexandria, Virginia 22314
Office: 703.746.4114

Alexandria Sheriff's Office Organization

The following bureaus comprise the Sheriff's Office.

  • Administrative Services Bureau Administrative Services includes Fiscal Management, Human Resources, Administrative Support & Special Projects, Investigations, Policy & Oversight, Information Technology and Public Information.
  • Judicial and Special Operations Bureau Judicial and Special Operations is responsible for ensuring the safety and security of the Alexandria Courthouse, and for performing the legal process and court bailiff functions. A second line of defense, Judicial and Special Operations Deputies further serve the City by providing secondary law enforcement services.
  • Detention Center Bureau  The Detention Center Bureau manages the security of the William G. Truesdale Adult Detention Center which houses, on average, more than 350 inmates including local, state and federal prisoners. The Detention Center Bureau is responsible for access to the facility and the safety of all those – inmates, staff and visitors – inside.
  • Support Services Bureau  The Support Services Division includes the Inmate Services and Alternative Programs Section and the Detention Center Support Section and also serves as the liaison to the food service contractor.

An organizational chart is available and provides a detailed view.

Mission Statement

Our purpose is to help and protect people.

Alexandria Courthouse

The current courthouse opened in 1981 and contains the Court of Appeals, Circuit Courts, General District Courts, and Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts. Approximately 70,000 court hearings take place each year. All persons entering the courthouse are screened for weapons and various types of contraband.

The Judicial Services Division (Civil Process/Court Security) maintains an office at the Courthouse. Mail is received at the following address for this division.

Alexandria Courthouse
520 King Street, Suite 308, Alexandria, Virginia 22314
Office: 703.746.4120

Alexandria Detention Center

The Detention Center, which opened 1987, is a direct supervision facility with an interactive management style which offers a positive atmosphere for inmates, makes the inmate accountable, and rewards them for positive behavior. The Detention Center houses approximately 350 local, state and federal pre-trial and sentenced inmates. Prior to 1987, the Detention Center was located in a structure originally built in the 1820s.

Alexandria Detention Center
2001 Mill Road, Alexandria, Virginia 22314
Control Center: 703.746.4099